Kirk is (almost) three!

I already posted some of Kirk's new pictures, but here are a few more.  They turned out great, and I think you can really see Kirk's crazy personality in these pictures.  Samantha gave us all 358 pictures that she took  during our session, and I included some of the nice edited pictures and crazy candid shots as well.  Amazing to see how my boy has grown! He is so handsome, if I do say so myself....ha!

chicken, sleep, and the daily grind....

It's Friday again, and my weekly "high five for Friday" is a bit late, but I was busy trying to enjoy my last week of summer vacation....sigh.  Yes, folks, I head back to work on Monday, actually, for 2 days of "professional development" before school begins (for K-12) on Wednesday, August 1.  I will no doubt have a super busy week, several meetings already planned and lots of kindergartners to be screened.  Here are my top five for the week:

#1.....I am NOT a person who cares about politics AT ALL, and quite honestly, I think most of it is pretty stupid, but I have to make a quick comment on the whole Chick-fil-a controversy, and their accused opposition to gay people, gay marriage....etc.  I do not think that the comments I read that "support" American families are in protest to gays and lesbians.  I know and love people who are gay and lesbian, and I would never support anything that was hateful against them....however, I don't think that if I say I love the color purple, it means I hate all other colors.  People just need something to fuss about.  It's silly.  We are free to believe what we want, like what we want, and say what we want, and our thoughts and words shouldn't be translated to spew hate when we speak in support of something else.  Besides, they sure do make a mean chicken sandwich.  Ha!

#2.....Apparently, I should be thankful that my son goes to bed when we tell him to and sleeps all night.  I got caught up in a discussion with several other moms at the pool this week, and they said I was "lucky" that he was such a good sleeper.  I like to think it's thanks to good parenting, not that he just magically goes to sleep.  I just let them think what they want.....but I know the truth!

#3.....We finally got a nice pool day on Thursday.  

#4....I got a few nice compliments this week from strangers, and my spirits were lifted.  The girl in the Wendy's drive thru told me I had "such a pretty tan" (thanks to pool days!) and  a lady in the Dollar Store and Walmart today told me they liked my hair (thanks to my mother in law hairdresser!).  It's just nice to hear something nice about yourself, especially on days you're not feeling too special.

#5...Kirk attended Bible School a few days this week at Gramma Debi's church.  He had a great time.  He is already talking about "when I go back to Bible School...."  I didn't want to break it to him yet that it only comes around once a year!  

We are headed to Pullman Square to the Hot Dog Festival tomorrow morning, and to a birthday party tomorrow evening and ANOTHER birthday party on Sunday!  Busy weekend!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Party Time

I can seriously not believe it is time to have Kirk's 3rd birthday party!  Our invitations turned out really cute, all thanks to Samantha Webb who took the great pictures.  Three years have gone by so fast.  I think you never really know how fast time can go by until you are watching your children grow.  I never thought my little baby would be this big.  He is funny, smart, brave, energetic (for sure), and sometimes a bit naughty.  I didn't think I'd ever hear MY CHILD tell me "No!" or that I would take karate chops and  punches to the leg....little did I know that all the teaching experience in the world wouldn't prepare me for motherhood!  

I'm holding on to these last few days with my 2 year old!

It's that time of year again.....

It's that time of year again, when I fall off the face of the earth, and into my classroom and school kiddos.  My school will open its doors to kindergarten and first graders next Wednesday, August 1st.  Thankfully, preschool always starts 2 weeks later, so I will welcome my little ones on Wednesday, August 15th.  I'm always super busy at this time of year, and it seems there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done.  I am thankful for a job that I love, and the anticipation of a new room full of kiddos to make me laugh and find a place in my heart.

Kirk and I visited my parents in Coalwood, WV over the weekend.  Kirk has been excited about this trip for weeks, because I told him we could go bowling while we were there.  He'd never been, and he talked about it everyday.  My parents are both league bowlers, and a bowling trip was something we could do together.  The town I grew up in is kind of low on entertainment for anyone, especially toddlers!  Here's a few pictures of my bowling pro....

He loved his bowling shoes better than anything!  He was dancing around singing, "Let's get bowling!"

He rolled his ball down this little ramp so it would get down the lane.  He was able to count how many pins were left when each of us took a turn.  I'm just glad all the hype lived up to his expectations!

My highly anticipated Birchbox came today!  I've been on the waiting list for about a month, and I was super excited when I got the email saying I now had a subscription and would start receiving them each month.  If you don't know, Birchbox is a company in New York that makes up little boxes each month of samples of beauty supplies.  Subscribers get a different box each month, and the samples are just about anything (soap, nail polish, eye cream, etc.).  I read about Birchbox on a blog that I follow, and I was intrigued.  The subscription is $10.00 a month, and I figured I probably spent that already on some kind of beauty product that I ended up not liking, so why not get a whole box of samples of different things?  Superior idea!  

This month's box has a gold nail polish, pink-ish lip stain (which I've never tried, but actually do like!) a travel bag, perfume sample, soap, and a cute hair tie (which I will give away....no pony tails here, ha!)

I'm already excited about next month's Birchbox!

high five for Friday

How perfect that I found a "high five for Friday" graphic of a teacher and a chalk board 2 weeks before I have to go back to school?   It is hard to believe that I have been out of school for over 2 months, and that my summer is coming to an end.  A new school year is about to begin, new kiddos will look at me with wide eyes as I read them stories for the first time, sing songs they have never heard, teach them new and exciting things, and take care of them as my own for the upcoming 9 months.  Sounds amazing, right?  It is.  The tears, tantrums, messes, and chaos are all a part of it too....and I wouldn't change a thing.  SO....I will enjoy the last few days of my summer and look forward to the new school year with hope and excitement.  So many mommies and daddies are anxious right now about some lady who will take care of their precious baby.  I know that feeling well, and I have a new understanding of the trust and faith that so many have in me.  I'm ready, and I will miss my time with my precious baby, but I am so thankful that I get to have a special part of so many other lives and that we will share each other's minds and hearts.  Teachers change lives.  Period.

With all that said, I will list my top five things for this week...

#1...Kirk and I stopped at Orange Leaf after our trip to the library on Thursday.  Like every other kid I know, Kirk picked everything that was bright and colorful to throw on top of his ice cream.  He ate every bite, and even asked me to scrape the last few M & Ms out of the melted mess at the bottom.  He is his mother's son.....we LOVE some ice cream!

#2.......Kirk and I went to Lego day camp at the Barboursville Library.  Barboursville Library is by far my favorite library.  The children's staff is amazing, I love Miss Willa, and I don't give compliments like that often.  We started going to their story time at Chick-fil-a earlier in the summer, and I really enjoy it...probably more than Kirk!  We went to Lego camp, and Kirk worked very hard on linking every train car together and then filled the train with every animal he could find.  The lady leading the camp took lots of pictures of Kirk's train and he was so proud.  Kirk was one of the youngest kids there, but he jumped right in and stayed busy the whole time.  I liked observing all the kiddos and the stuff they built.  I definitley saw gender research at work.....girls building "out" (covering surface area) and boys building "up" (as tall as they can reach).  Kirk was a toddler cliche'  by using all of one kind of block, then all of something else......he played with other kids for a while, but mostly by himself (so he didn't have to share materials).  I love watching little minds at work!

#3.....My mom came for a visit this week, and she gave me a box of things from her classroom (she retired in June).  I quickly pulled out some of the great books that Kirk and I didn't have at home.  The Harry the Dirty Dog  series was one of my favorites as a kid, and Kirk loved them, too.  We even found another one at the library on Thursday.  Kirk wants to "read" to me a lot now, which is so sad, but amazing, because he can remember words from books I've read to him only once.  I like holding my little boy on my lap and reading to him, and I savor every minute of it.  Kirk loves books like his Mama, and I hope he lets me read to him for a long time to come.

George and Martha are two awesome hippos....Kirk and I love them, too!

#4....I have to say, cooler temperatures this week were a relief!  I think we were all grateful to have some 80 degree days!

#5....My new vinegar and dish liquid shower cleaner was an amazing discovery, and as I type I have a baking soda and vinegar mixture sitting in my oven in an attempt to clean it as well.  Keep your fingers crossed that it is a miracle too!  I still have a few summer cleaning projects to go, and a few days left to do them!

**My niece Bella is in Disney World right now, and I am so excited for her! She watched the fireworks over Cinderella's castle last night from the air conditioned dessert bar at the Tomorrowland Terrace and she enjoyed breakfast with Cinderella and other princesses this morning (both reservations made by her amazing Auntie Kelly). My sister Erin immediately asked for my help when she was planning her trip, and I quickly pulled out my "mouse-ka-tools" and got to work. Hopefully my tips for meals and rides will help them have a magical visit!  I know Bella will have a mouse shaped place in her heart like her Auntie Kelly! 

Have a very magical weekend!

homemade magic!

I have to share this homemade miracle that I've found (on Pinterest, of course!).  This "homemade tub & shower cleaner is amazing!  1 part Dawn dish soap (I used Walmart generic version) and 2 parts warm white vinegar (warmed in microwave for 10-15 seconds)....put it in a spray bottle, and spray on your soap scummy shower, tub, or sink and watch the scum disappear!  I was shocked at how well it cleaned, I didn't have to scrub much at all, and the smell goes away quickly.  I even stored the extra and used it a few days later, so I think the warming is just so the liquids mix together.  I wish I had all the money back that I have spent on expensive cleaners!  I am so happy to find something that isn't toxic or super smelly, and I don't have to worry about Kirk touching it or bathing after I've cleaned the tub.  This cleaner was definitely a great discovery!  You should stop reading right now and go try it!

High Five For Friday

Well, it was a rough week.  I WILL, however, find five things I am thankful for. 

#1...Our hasty, unplanned trip to the Newport Aquarium during the devastating power outage....was actually fun!  Kirk loves animals, and he said his favorite thing was the "tiny baby penguins."  They were pretty cute!  Here's a few pictures......

Mighty Mike was a gigantic crocodile that didn't move a muscle when we were there.  As you can see, Kirk barely cleared the tip of his tail!

Kirk was super excited for the tree frogs, and loved "riding" them. 

Kirk was talking to the "penguin family." 

#2...Definitely....POWER (air conditioning, cable, internet, etc.)!  I have figured out how thankful I am for my little house and the comforts of home. 

#3...Angel and I had a "Magic Mike Monday."  We laughed our guts out, and were amazed that Matthew McConaughey could look so skanky!

#4....POWER, and the fact that every time Kirk asks "Do we still have power, Mama?"  I can say, "Yes, baby, we DO!!"

#5....I got a facial today, thanks to Lucas and his family (student).  It was lovely, relaxing, and my skin feels divine.  Thanks, Lucas & family, and thanks to Kevin for a very pleasant experience!  I needed it after this stressful week!

Welcome to the world, baby Karter! 

Kirk loved visiting with his new cousin, Karter Johnson (Cretie is his proud Mama).  He was born on July 4th, what a birthday!  Kirk loved him, and has talked about him since.  He even asked me what his "letter" was tonight (that his name started with) and he couldn't believe it was a 'K' just like him!  That night after we saw him, Kirk wanted me to wrap him up in a blanket and rock him "like a tiny baby."  He has asked me a hundred questions about "when I was a little baby" and he loves to hear the stories.  I sure do miss my little boy being that little warm bundle in my arms, and I CANNOT believe in a little more than a month he will be three years old.  Whew.  What an amazing thing it is to be a mama. 

Enjoy the weekend!  Yay for Friday!

Happy 4th of July!

I haven't posted in a while because we have had a ROUGH time dealing with last Friday's major storm and power outages.  We lost power Friday evening around 6:30 p.m., and we got it back Sunday night at 8:30 p.m.  We took off to Cincinnati on Saturday and went to the Newport Aquarium on Sunday (Jeremy took most of the pictures, I will post some soon).  Kirk loved the Aquarium, of course.  We were sad to come home Sunday to a hot house and a freezer and refrigerator full of bad food (I had JUST gone to the store!).  I am so thankful we got our power back when we did, some people went several more days and some still don't have it.  We have had to make many trips to the store for food and supplies, and it has been hard trying to get things back to normal.  On the BRIGHT SIDE....we had Kirk's pictures taken last night, for his 3rd (deep breath) birthday.  How funny is this face that he is making in the picture above?  It's a true reflection of my 3 year old little boy, though!  I can't wait to see the rest!

Kirk did such a great job posing for pictures, we decided to go to Austin's Ice Cream for a treat.  Isn't he such a neat eater?  UGH!!

I thought my 4th of July cupcakes turned out pretty spectacular!  We are having a small cookout at home with Angel, Riley, Brady, & Neuhaus.  Kirk is so excited for the sparklers!  Happy 4th of July everyone, and   please keep those who are still without power in your thoughts and prayers.  It will be a long time before all is back to normal.  I am just thankful that we are all ok, and I figure in a few days Kirk will stop asking if we still have power. Ha!